Chapter One
“I can’t believe the airline lost all your luggage! I mean really, what do
they expect you to do for the next three days while they look for it, go naked?
It could be in London, or Sydney, or Cario for all we know. It’s a good thing
we’re about the same size, and you can borrow some of my clothes. Plus, it’s
a perfect excuse for me to buy new clothes.”
Beatrice Rousse nee McGovern expertly maneuvered her Range Rover through the
Parisian traffic and smiled at her best friend. “Perhaps we should go shopping
now, while we’re in Paris. We could hit some of the trendy shops and spend
a lot of money -- hint, hint, hint. Then, I could blame you when Luc questions
me about the bills. ‘Oh darling, it was all Mic’s fault, she made me buy that
thousand-franc dress.’”
“Oh no you don’t,” Michelle Rawlins answered in menacing tones. “I know that
husband of yours, and I don’t want him venting his French temper on me. True,
I do need some things to tide me over, but no thousand-franc dresses! Isn’t there
a Wal-Mart nearby?”
Both women dissolved in laughter, which brought a sharp response from the back
seat of the vehicle.
“What’s so funny, Mama?” Nine-year-old Georges asked in heavily accented English.
“Did Tante Michelle tell a joke?”
“Why Georges,” Michelle responded, turning to look in the back seat. “Your English
is perfect. I’m very impressed.”
Georges beamed, his dark eyes gleaming with delight. “Mama taught me from the
time I was very young. And, I take English in school. The teacher says I am very
good, as do mama and papa.”
Beatrice smiled in response. “I’ve taught all the children English, so they can
communicate with their grandparents. I may be a French citizen now but English
is still my first language, although as time as gone by it’s easier for me to
speak French, because I do it day in and day out. The only time I really speak
English now, except when I practice with the kids, is when I talk to you, or
my parents.”
Michelle looked back at the three children buckled into the back of the Range
Rover. Both Georges and his five-year-old brother, Thierry, had dark hair and
dark eyes, like their father. Two-year-old Amelie, who had fallen asleep as the
vehicle wound its way through Paris, was blond and blue-eyed like her mother
and her “Tante” Michelle.
It had been a kick for Michelle and Beatrice, who had grown up two blocks from
each other in Littleton, Colo., to pretend they were sisters, because their coloring
was so much alike. Both the women were tall, about five feet nine inches, and
approximately the same size.
“Do you want me to stop at the bank, so you can change some money?” Bea asked
as she pulled into a shopping area.
“No, I think I’ll put everything on plastic for now,” Michelle answered. “I’m
not going to buy very much, just some jeans and a few shirts and something to
sleep in. And, or course, make-up and perfume. You can’t come to Paris without
buying perfume.”
Bea parked the car and after loading Amelie into her stroller, grabbing Thierry’s
hand, and receiving a rebuke from Georges, ‘Mama, please, I’m too old to have
you holding my hand like a child,’ the fivesome made their way toward the store.
Hours later, armed with more than the few items Michelle had intended on buying,
including a healthy dose of Anais, Anais, Michelle’s favorite perfume, they were
making their way toward the Burgundy region of France, where Michelle lived with
her husband and children.
“You really should have bought that green dress, Mic,” Bea said once they were
outside Paris. “I’m sure Luc has a few men he wants you to meet while you’re
here. We’re both dreaming you will marry one of them and move here. I need it
right now. Need you here to help me deal with things.”
Michelle was shaking her head even before Bea had finished her sentence. “Oh
no, no fix-ups. I’m not here to meet men, as you said, I’m here to help your
friend go through his brother’s papers. When that’s done, I have to go back home
and start looking for a new job. Besides, fix-ups never work."
Bea scoffed and slapped the steering wheel. “I beg your pardon! I married a fix-up
missy, and as I remember it, it was YOU who fixed me up with him. So don’t go
telling me that fix-ups never work. You’re lucky I don’t invite half the province
here to meet you and knock you off your feet! I would, too, if I thought it would
keep you here. ”
It had been twelve years since Bea and Michelle had graduated from high school
in Littleton, and Bea had married Luc, the foreign-exchange student who had lived
in Colorado that year. Michelle was the editor of the high school newspaper,
and had interviewed Luc for the publication. The minute he had started talking
Mic had known that Luc and Bea were destined to be together. So she’s arranged
for the three of them to meet for pizza at a local restaurant, and then conveniently
not shown up for the date. The rest was history. Luc and Bea were inseparable
from that moment on, and had married one year after high school, moving to France
right after the wedding.
Michelle on the other hand had not married. Instead she had gone straight to
college, where she had earned her teaching certificate in English. After a year
as a teacher, she decided it wasn’t for her. She liked children, she just didn’t
want to spend all her time with them. So she’d earned an associates degree to
become a paralegal. After the first week on the job, she knew she’d taken the
right course. She was hooked.
After ten years with the same law firm, and working with the same criminal lawyer,
disaster had struck. Her boss, Paul Tiner, had been convicted of fraud. A jury
was convinced that Tiner had collected bribes from his guilty clients to make
sure their cases were won at any expense. Those expenses included bribing witnesses
and giving orders for witnesses from the other side to be intimated by violence.
In addition, he’d been convicted of embezzling from the law firm for which he
worked.
Although Michelle was not indicted, those she worked with found her guilty by
association. She had lost her job, and had been without one for the past year
and a half. Her savings were quickly running out, so when Bea had called and
said she was needed in France, Mic had jumped at the chance.
Luc’s boss at the winery and his wife, Antoine and Luca Bauchet had been killed
in a car accident. Bea was devastated to lose the one true friend she had made
in France. On top of that, the new boss, Antoine’s brother, Alliot, was a stern
boss who was giving Luc a hard time because Antoine had left the winery in less
than pristine condition. Alliot said that Luc, as the foreman, should have been
aware that the books were in terrible shape, and filing hadn’t been done in almost
a year and a half.
According to Bea, Alliot had gone through several employees in an effort to get
the records straightened out. When that had been unsuccessful, she had suggested
her friend, Michelle, a paralegal who could do anything.
Michelle was grateful for the chance at a job, even if it meant going through
a lengthy process of filing out papers and getting the proper permissions for
staying longer than a tourist normally would.
Besides, she’d been worried about her friend since the accident. They’d talked
several times and Michelle knew that Bea was taking Luca’s death very hard.
“How have you been?” Michelle asked quietly, sneaking a peak in the backseat
to see who was listening to the conversation. All three Rousse children were
now napping. “I know it’s been really hard on you to lose your friends. And you
say they had a baby just before they died?”
Bea sighed and pushed an errant hair off her forehead. “Yes, his name is Alex,
after Antoine’s father. He was born in January, so he’s six months old now. Alliot
has custody, although he leaves his care up to the nannies.
“Nannies? More than one nanny for one child?”
“No. Nannies as is plural, and not all at the same time. Alliot is hard to work
for, and the nannies come and go. He’s without one right now. He’s a lawyer in
Paris, so you two should get along very well. Right now he’s on leave, to deal
with the estate and the winery after Antoine’s death. But Luc is hoping that
Alliot will make him manager of the winery, and Alliot will go back to Paris
and leave the running of the business to Luc. Alliot’s older than Antoine was,
and is somewhat, well ....” her voice trailed off as she searched for a word.
“Difficult. He’s a nice man, but hard to get to know. Closed-off, stern. He’s
a high-priced attorney who didn’t want to have anything to do with the winery.
That’s why he let Antoine run the business. I think that’s why he was so keen
on you when I mentioned that you had legal training.”
“Antoine on the other hand was fun-loving and care-free. He and Luca were so
much in love. Alliot was their first child and they were so happy. Antoine was
thirty-two when he died, and Luca only twenty-eight.”
Bea looked over her shoulder and maneuvered the Range Rover onto a road with
less traffic. They were in the countryside now, heading through tree-covered
hills dotted with lavender. Off in the distance Michelle could see rooftops and
the outskirts of a small village. A short ways from the road two people were
taking a leisurely horseback ride. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is here, Michelle
thought to herself, almost like a paradise.
It all seemed so peaceful and serene, like something out of a fairytale. Michelle
imaged picnicking in the countryside with a nice broad-shouldered Frenchman,
not too tall, with dark hair. A smoldering look would flash in his green eyes
as he handed her a glass of wine. She would sip it slowly, savoring the flavor
before he took it from her hands and kissed her lips, his tongue darting inside
her mouth gently, his hands on either side of her face. He would take her in
his arms and pull her into his masculine chest, his lips nuzzling her neck.
He would lay her back on the blanket, and…
A loud noise from the back seat broke through her fantasy.
“I mean honestly, can you believe they can’t make it an hour and a half in the
car without fighting? And they slept for more than half that time!” Bea’s question
interrupted her thoughts. “They remind me of you and your brother. How is Joey
anyway? Still searching for the perfect career, or has he kept to the last one
... what was it this time, anyway? Professional gambling, auto racing, horse
jockey?”
Michelle straightened in her seat and ran her fingers through her blond hair.
“No, nothing as exotic as all that. Besides, he’s too tall to be a jockey. Right
now he’s working at the Royal Gorge.”
“Sounds exciting to me,” Bea said as she turned to the left onto a narrow dirt
driveway. Pushing a button on a remote control she opened a gate that blocked
their way about a quarter mile down the road. “If I know your brother he probably
tries to bungee-jump off the bridge everyday.”
Michelle laughingly agreed and then turned to again take in the lush scenery
that was surrounding her. Green trees lined the roadway. Colorful wildflowers
dotted the border of the driveway. Off in the distance Michelle could see the
start of the vineyard that supplied Luc’s employer with grapes for his wine.
“We live in the ‘caretakers’ house, which was added in the late 18th Century,”
Bea said. “The main house is about a ten minute walk from here. It was built
in the 14th Century and is huge, and beautiful. It’s been steadily remodeled
over the years to add bathrooms and an indoor kitchen. You’ll love it when you
see it. Alex lives there now, with Alliot.
Bea’s voice took on a wistful note. “It’s hard to believe Luca will never be
back. I used to walk to the house and we’d cook lunch together for Luc and Antoine.
It was wonderful. I just hope that Alliot doesn’t want to change too much; that
he’ll allow Luc to run the winery. Then, Alliot can go back to Paris and be a
lawyer and quit giving Luc a headache every night.”
Michelle turned a questioning look at Bea as they parked in front of the house.
“A headache every night? Why? Is it that bad?” But before Bea could answer the
passenger’s side door of the Range Rover was jerked open and Michelle was pulled
from the vehicle.
“Michelle!” Luc’s voice boomed out as he pulled Michelle into a bear hug. “How
wonderful to see you. Did you have a good flight? I expected you hours ago, where
have you two been?”
Without waiting for an answer Luc turned to his children and clapped his hands
together. “Everyone into the house, now, go. Clean up and put on nice clothing.
We’re going to the house for dinner.”
Luc held up a hand to stop Bea’s protest before it could leave her lips. Reaching
down he kissed her tenderly and smiled into her eyes. “Don’t say a word. Alliot
told me today he wanted to see me, to talk to me about the winery. He’s been
interviewing au pairs all day and I think tonight is the night. He will tell
me the winery is mine to run and get out of my hair. So come along, don’t dawdle.
I told him we’d be there by seven thirty so we only have a hour to get ready.”
*****
Forty-five minutes later, freshly showered and changed into her new jeans and
black-ribbed sweater Michelle joined the family on the outside deck of the house.
They were all waiting for her and she winced.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No problem,” Luc said. “We’re just very glad you’re here. Should we take your
things now, or do you want to stay here tonight, so you can talk to Bea some
more?”
Michelle gave him a confused look and he cocked his head at his wife.
“You didn’t tell her, did you?”
“No, because I still think it’s a bad idea.”
“Bea, Michelle is here to work, not play.” He turned to Michelle and smiled.
“Alliot wants you to stay in the main house with him and Alex.”
“Oh. There’s not room in the smaller house. I understand that.” Michelle hid
her disappointment behind a fake smile.
“That’s not it,” Bea said. “Alliot just has to be in control of everything. I’m
afraid he’s going to use you living at the main house as an excuse to keep you
working all the time.”
“Well, from the sounds of it, that may be what it takes to get the filing under
control.”
“But it’s unfair,” Bea said. “I want you to stay here, with us. You can come
home from work at night and we can talk and have fun together. Please, Luc, can’t
you say something to him?”
“Darling, you know Alliot.” Michelle laughed at Luc’s tone. “Once he has his
mind set on things, he’s not going to change it. So, I’ll ask again. Should we
take your things up now, or later?”
Michelle laughed. “Now it’s my turn to say, ‘you didn’t tell him, did you?’”
She explained to Luc about her lost luggage, and said all she had right now the
few sacks of clothing they’d bought in town.
“Isn’t that fantastic? And if they don’t find your things in three days?”
“Then, I get replacement money,” Michelle answer. “I’m not sure how much, but
I can use that to buy new things in the nearest village. I didn’t have anything
of real value in the bags. I had my make-up and jewelry in my carry-on. Plus,
we did a little shopping earlier.”
Luc nodded slowly, his face impassive. He picked up his daughter and tickled
her, and then he turned to his wife. “How much money did you spend?”
“Tattletale.” Bea pouted and then playfully stuck her tongue out at Michelle.
Then, she took her husband’s hand. “We’re going to be late.”
They took off down a tree-lined path and Michelle fell into step with the two
boys, who were talking a mile a minute in a mixture of French and English that
Michelle was having trouble following.
“Tante Michelle’s French isn’t so good,” she said. “You need to slow down so
I can understand.”
The boys started to speak slower as they walked and Michelle caught most of what
they were saying. They enjoyed school, but were glad that they were currently
on break, and would be able to spend more time with her. There was a brook not
far that they wanted to take her to tomorrow. It was just a short walk.
“Michelle is here to work,” Luc said. “She won’t be able to play all the time.”
“A little bit,” Michelle replied. “Taking a walk to the brook sounds like fun.”
They topped a hill and Michelle came to a dead stop, her mouth open.
“Wow.”
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Bea came to stand next to her while Luc and the children
continued down the path. “I remember the first time I saw it. I did the same
thing you’re doing. Staring.”
“It’s amazing. How many rooms?”
“Who knows? One whole wing is shut down, because there’s no need for it. You’ll
be impressed by the furnishings, too. So beautiful.”
Both women started to walk when Luc turned and told them to hurry. They came
up in the back part of the house, in what was a beautiful garden, complete with
a large fountain. A large, stone staircase led to a stone deck. The deck opened
onto the massive house.
As the approached, they could hear a baby crying. They stepped onto the deck
where a man sat at a table, drinking a glass of wine and frowning at the bassinet
which sat on the table, holding the bawling child.
“Alliot,” Luc said. “Désolé si nous sommes en retard.”
“Qu'importe-t-il? Il ne fermera pas vers le haut.”
Michelle tried to follow the conversation, then Georges pulled on her hand. “Papa
said he’s sorry we’re late, and Mr. Bauchet said it didn’t matter, and that the
baby won’t shut up.”
“Thank you, Georges.” The boy beamed and nodded.
Bea picked up the howling child, whose cries subsided somewhat before picking
up again.
“Where’s the nanny?” Michelle was grateful she’d spoken in English.
“No au pair,” the man said. Then he noticed Michelle for the first time. He stood
and inclined his head toward her, putting out his hand in greeting. “Alliot Bauchet.”
“Michelle Rawlins.” She searched her mind for her French phrases from high school.
“Je suis, and um, I’m, um, happy to be here. And, je suis excité hmm, about,
well, de travailler avec vous.”
“My English is perfect,” he said, a grin tugging at his lips before disappearing.
“Unlike your French. But I’m happy to be working with you, also. Beatrice has
touted your skills. I hope she’s right.”
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long time since high school.” Again, she saw a smile
try, and fail, to take over his lips. “And yes, I think I’m very good at what
I do.”
“Forgive me,” Luc said, raising his voice to be heard over the baby, who continued
to cry. “I should have introduced you when we came up.”
Alliot gave a curt nod, then turned to Bea. “I think he might be hungry. The
cook can feed him.”
“I can do it,” Bea said. “I’ll go in and fix a bottle. Michelle, will you hold
him for me?”
Michelle nodded and held out her arms. She wasn’t exactly the maternal type,
but she figured she could hold a child for a few minutes, even if he was screaming
his lungs out.
She took the baby and pulled him close as Bea admonished her own children to
play quietly in the gardens until she returned. Then, she turned to Michelle,
her eyes wide.
“He stopped crying.”
Michelle looked down at the baby who was nestled in her arms. His cheeks were
tear-stained, and he was sucking his thumb, his chest heaving with the exertion
he’d put forth from his crying fit.
“So he is,” Alliot said. “That’s the first time since the last au pair left that
he’s been quiet. You’re a genius.”
“No. I’m sure he’s just tired. His eyes look like they’re about to shut.”
Alliot studied her, and for the first time she noticed how handsome he was. Dark
hair and eyes that were intelligent, but distant.
“Give him to me,” he said. He held out his arms and Michelle gave him Alex, who
immediately started to cry again. The baby flailed out his arms, his screams
mighty and loud.
“A little experiment,” Alliot said, handing the baby to Bea. His cries diminished
somewhat, but he was still unhappy. “Now, give him back to Ms. Rawlins.”
“It’s Michelle,” she said, taking the baby who immediately stopped crying.
“I think he likes you,” Alliot said. “And I think I’ve found a new au pair.”
“Oh no. I’m not a nanny, not even for a few minutes. I’m a paralegal.”
Bea laughed and clapped her hands together. “I’ll go and get that bottle.” She
ran in the house, but not before Michelle could frown and shake her head.
“Mr. Bauchet, I—”
“If you’re Michelle, I’m Alliot.”
“Alliot, I’m not here to be a nanny. That’s not what we agreed on.”
“Can you not do them both?”
“No. I can’t take care of a baby and go through papers at the same time. I don’t
know how I’d manage it.”
He studied her, then took a sip of his wine. “You’ll be staying here, so there
is no problem there. And I will continue to interview au pairs. The ones I’ve
found have been less than suitable. And, Alex likes you. He hasn’t been this
quiet since his parents died.”
“That’s so unfair,” Michelle said. “Don’t make me feel guilty about this.”
“No?” This time Alliot did smile, a wicked smile that made Michelle’s toes curl.
“I get what I want, Michelle. And right now, I want you to take care of Alex.
I believe the amount we agreed upon for your work was a thousand dollars a month,
American. Is that correct?
“Yes.” She didn’t like where this conversation was heading.
“Then shall we say two thousand until I find another au pair?”
The baby wiggled in her arms. She looked down and he actually seemed to smile
at her.
“I know nothing about taking care of a child 24/7. I’m a thirty-year-old woman
who’s never had a child. And I never, ever, babysat.”
“You have Bea to help,” Luc said. “She’s perfect with children, and it will give
her an excuse to come up to the house more often.”
“Then it’s done,” Alliot said.
“No, it’s not done,” Michelle said. “I didn’t hire on for this.”
A cry from the garden sent Luc rushing down the stairs toward his children.
Alliot took a step closer to Michelle. He looked down at the baby, who cooed
happily in her arms, then looked back at her face.
“One thing you will learn, is that I’m used to being in charge. My orders are
followed, and I always get what I want. The negotiations are closed.”
“Hardly been a negotiation, with you just telling me how it will be.” She sighed
heavily, then thought of her dwindling savings, and the fact that she still didn’t
have a proper job. Two thousand dollars a month would go a long way. “Promise
me you’ll keep looking for a real au pair.”
“You have my word.”
Bea came out and handed her a bottle. She turned it up and Alex happily took
it, eating as if there were no tomorrow.
“Cool,” Bea said. “This is terrific.”
“Yeah,” Michelle said with less enthusiasm. “Just terrific.”
